Birds of prey?

So history repeats itself. Back in the Nineties, it was a common occurrence to be in public places like Buskett, watch birds being shot and proud hunters waving their dead trophies.

I recently happened to witness the same disturbing scene at Chadwick Lakes with my family. A hunter was walking in the middle of the road gleefully carrying a large, dead bird of prey from its neck. There was no secrecy or embarrassment - just pure satisfaction. Another trophy perhaps? Well, it was definitely not going to end up in a pot of broth.

Pity that we lesser mortals are being deprived of such majestic beauty due to the selfishness of some who seek nothing but personal glory and who think they are above the law.

As for the police's Administrative Law Enforcement (ALE), the situation is crystal-clear: they are a small body of police officers who are outnumbered and overstretched. Our sheer determination saw us trying to call the ALE emergency number several times, to no avail. No one answered. We managed to report the incident 20 minutes later - too late I guess.

When will we learn that nature is there for all to appreciate, that it is our common heritage? We cannot continue to be oblivious and abuse nature, which is dwindling in front of our very eyes.